Lithium agreement not best for Ghana; don’t rectify it – Sam Okudzeto to Parliament
A member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto, has urged Parliament not to approve the contentious lithium deal with Barari BV in its current state.
He believes that the current agreement is not in the best interest of the country.
The seasoned legal practitioner is advising Members of Parliament to exert efforts to safeguard Ghana from being taken advantage of.
He emphasised that Ghanaians are counting on Parliament as their last resort in this matter.
“This lithium agreement is not in the best interest of Ghana. That’s my view. And if you all agree with me, let’s all make a statement in support of the IEA to say that we do not think that this agreement is in the interest of Ghana and that we have to relook this matter.”
“I don’t want to condemn the MPs, but we will caution them and advise them to do what is right and what is in the interest of Ghana,” he added.
Mr Okudzeto’s remarks coincide with increasing public backlash against the deal, with many Ghanaians raising apprehensions about its failure to adequately safeguard the country’s long-term interests.
Critics contend that the agreement provides Barari BV with excessively favourable terms, such as a low royalty rate and an extended exploration period.
While the government maintains that the deal will attract essential investments and generate employment opportunities, Mr Okudzeto’s stance adds momentum to the mounting demands for a reconsideration of the agreement.
Source: Ghana News
